SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped positive-sense RNA virus and it's the 7th coronavirus which can infect human causing disease ranging from mild common cold, fever, dry cough, fatigue, shortness of breath and severe respiratory failure.[1]
SARS-CoV-2 testing may be incorporated as part of a comprehensive approach to reducing transmission. Symptom screening, testing, and contact tracing are strategies to identify people infected with SARS-CoV-2 so that actions can be taken to slow and stop the spread of the virus.[2]
Various categories of in vitro diagnostic tests are used to detect SARS-CoV-2: Viral tests, including nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and antigen tests are used as diagnostic tests to detect infection with SARS-CoV-2 which is important to patient isolation, management and treatment. Antibody tests (Serology tests) are widely used in the previous SARS-CoV-2 infection detection and aid in the diagnosis of current SARS-CoV-2 infection combined with PCR, clinical symptoms, risk factors or a chest CT scan.
is an in vitro real-time Reverse Transcriptase (RT) PCR test intended for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from the SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, in oropharyngeal swabs and sputum specimens from individuals. The specimens of this test from either the upper or lower respiratory tract.
[1] WHO. Clinical management of severe acute respiratory infection when COVID-19 is suspected external icon. 13 March 2020.
[2] CDC. Overview of Testing for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Mar. 17, 2021